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- Issue #429: CatVideoFest Hits Tampa | Sarasota’s Itchy Honor | Penny Lane Pops Up in St. Pete | Home Sales Cancellations Surge
Issue #429: CatVideoFest Hits Tampa | Sarasota’s Itchy Honor | Penny Lane Pops Up in St. Pete | Home Sales Cancellations Surge
7/30/2025
Ted Grellner
30 Jul
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In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel
Local Pulse
Our Event Calendar —> Feel free to post events of interest to our community
Local News
— Tampa Pounces on CatVideoFest 2025 This Weekend
Of Interest
— Sarasota Scratches the Top: Named Itchiest City in the U.S.
— Bigger Beatlemania Ahead as Penny Lane Moves to St. Petersburg
Business News
— Buyers Walk Away: Record Home Sales Canceled in 2025
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Tampa Pounces on CatVideoFest 2025 This Weekend
CatVideoFest 2025 is back, promising two hours of non-stop feline fun at Tampa Theatre on Saturday, August 2 from 3–5 PM.
Presented by Oscilloscope Laboratories, this wildly popular event features a compilation of the year’s best cat videos — including new submissions, clever animations, music video cameos, and timeless viral classics.
But it’s more than laughs and “awws.” Each screening supports local animal welfare organizations, with a portion of ticket sales from the Tampa event benefiting the Humane Society of Tampa Bay.
Held at the historic Tampa Theatre (711 N. Franklin St.), the fest invites cat lovers of all ages to gather for a joy-filled screening experience that’s equal parts heartwarming and hilarious.
Whether you're a lifelong cat person or just in it for the whiskers, CatVideoFest 2025 is a feel-good event with a furry heart.
Sarasota Scratches the Top: Named Itchiest City in the U.S.
Sarasota, FL has been crowned the “itchiest city in America”, according to a new study by Ivarest, based on a nationwide survey of 1,000 people about outdoor skin irritants.
The city clinched the top spot due to high rankings in pest control access, bug spray search interest, and seasonal allergy impact. Sarasota ranked:
#1 for pest control businesses per capita
#4 in bug spray searches
#22 in seasonal allergies
Despite not being among the top 10 overall, Lakeland ranked third in pest control availability, and Tampa landed at No. 31. Orlando was Florida’s other high-scorer, coming in at No. 7.
The study found 60% of Americans say pests and allergens have disrupted outdoor activities. About 12% avoid going outside, and 5% have considered moving due to persistent outdoor irritants.
Bigger Beatlemania Ahead as Penny Lane Moves
to St. Petersburg
“Penny Lane, the Ultimate Beatles Museum” is moving from Dunedin to a larger space in St. Petersburg, aiming to reach a broader audience with its ever-growing collection.
Founded by local resident Robert Entel, the museum began as a personal hobby after he caught Beatlemania while studying in England. Today, the collection features around 1,600 rare items, including Ringo Starr’s hair, John Lennon’s long johns, and vintage media formats.
Docent Harlan Brown says visitors feel uplifted and nostalgic inside the museum, which has grown into a beloved destination for Beatles fans.
The new location, expected to open early next year off Second Avenue, will place the museum among St. Pete’s thriving arts scene, alongside the Dali and Chihuly museums.
“I want to show this museum to the world,” says Entel, who hopes the new space will inspire a new wave of visitors and keep Beatlemania alive for generations.
Buyers Walk Away: Record Home Sales Canceled
in 2025
Pending home sales are falling through at record rates, with nearly 15% of agreements canceled in June 2025, the highest for any June since 2017, per a new Redfin analysis.
Sun Belt cities led the trend: Jacksonville (21.4%), Las Vegas (19.7%), and Atlanta (19.6%) had the highest cancellation rates among 44 major metros.
With home sellers now outnumbering buyers by over 500,000, buyers are exercising more caution—and leverage. Some are pulling out of deals due to home flaws, better listings, or hopes of falling prices.
Experts say we’re in a buyer’s market, where sellers must negotiate harder, offer concessions, and act fast to avoid losing buyers.
Redfin forecasts a 1% drop in home prices by year’s end, while mortgage rates hold steady around 6.8%.
Bottom line: With buyer power rising, expect more price adjustments and a slowdown in the overheated housing market.
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